October 23, 2025 Agenda and Minutes | GCTC

Board Meetings

October 23, 2025 Agenda and Minutes

Board of Directors Annual Meeting
Workforce Solutions Conference Room 121, Classroom and Training building
500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

Board Members Present:

  • John Baines
  • Michelle Hughes
  • Olivia Keller
  • Bethany Foxx
  • Tanatswa Gwenzi

Board Members Absent: 

  • Larry Brown
  • Col Owens
  • Jessica Boggs

Gateway and KCTCS Faculty and Staff Present:

  • Dr. Fernando Figueroa, President/CEO
  • Leslee Wermuth, Executive Assistant, President’s Office
  • Phil Dischar, Media & Marketing Specialist
  • Christi Godman, Associate Vice President, Workforce Solutions
  • Doug Penix, Associate Vice President for Academic Services
  • Antoine Smith-Rouse, Associate Vice President of Workforce Solutions
  • Paul Tontillo, Associate Vice President of Budget, and Fiscal Affairs
  • Dr. Teri VonHandorf, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
  • Tess Burns, Vice President of Advancement
  • Doug Penix, Associate Vice President for Academic Services
  • Sam Collier, Dean of Manufacturing & Transportation Technology
  • Chris Rickels, Dean of Business, IT & Professional Studies
  • Amber Carter, Dean of Health Professions & Professor
  • Jessie Schook, KCTCS Vice President, Workforce and Economic Development

Guests:

  • Debbie Cannatella  


Before Meeting is Called to Order – OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

  • Bethany Foxx
  • Tanatswa Gwenzi

Agenda

           I.     CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE/ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Michelle Hughes called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence. Roll call was taken. The record will reflect that a quorum was present.

         II.     MISSION MOMENT
Dr. Figueroa introduced Jessie Schook, KCTCS Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development. In her role, she collaborates with companies located in Kentucky, existing businesses, and critical partners to ensure KCTCS is at the forefront of workforce development in the Commonwealth.            

 

She discussed the KCTCS Systems Office and Gateway's relationship with an emphasis on workforce and economic development, highlighting the need to strengthen the KCTCS brand at local, state, and national levels. Key structures supporting this work include the President’s Leadership Team, Action Teams aligned with the strategic plan, and Peer Teams (Tri-Council) that promote alignment, reduce silos, and scale best practices.

 

Jessie highlighted several statewide initiatives. The Sustaining Workforce and Talent (SWATT) initiative, which originated in Northern Kentucky, has now scaled across the Commonwealth with more than seventy prototypes, offering unified employer support. The Handshake platform was launched systemwide to expand recruitment and career opportunities by increasing employer access to students. Education First Employers, a growing group of fifty-seven organizations, now provides tuition benefits, flexible scheduling, and living wages to support students in completing their education. The “Going Pro” event, modeled as a workforce signing day, is a celebration of students entering the workforce with a goal of achieving national recognition.

 

Partnership mapping shows over 2,600 employer partnerships across the system. The overarching goal is to position KCTCS as the partner of choice for workforce and talent development, supported by a unified statewide brand strategy.

        III.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Hughes called for a motion to approve the minutes from the May 22, 2025, meeting. Upon motion by Oliva Keller, and seconded by John Baines, a vote was taken to approve the May 22, 2025, minutes as presented. The vote was unanimous to approve, with abstentions by two new board members having no knowledge of the prior meeting.

       IV.     ANNUAL REAFFIRMATION OF CODE OF ETHICS
Vice Chair Hughes called for a motion to affirm the Code of Ethics. Upon motion by Olivia Keller, and seconded by John Baines, a vote was taken to affirm the Code of Ethics. The vote was unanimous to approve. Each board member present will sign the copy to be put in the permanent record. The absent board member will be sent an individual signature page to return and keep on file.

         V.     COMMITTEE REPORTS
Vice Chair Hughes mentioned that the annual meeting will involve the renewal of the committee's statements of purpose. These statements will be provided in advance and consist of a one-paragraph overview that each committee chair can update or carry forward. An individual meeting will be organized with Chair Brown and the Committee Chairs. Before the meeting, the previous year’s reports will be distributed to the committee chairs for their review and revision, which will then be submitted and filed at the annual meeting in October. The meeting dates for 2026 will be prepared for consideration before the annual meeting on October 23, 2025.

 

       VI.     CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Governance Committee

Vice Chair Hughes reported that the bylaws require the board to conduct a self-evaluation every two years. John Baines asked Mrs. Leslee Wermuth to distribute the form to everyone to fill out and return, in preparation for discussing the results at the annual meeting. The evaluation collects feedback on ten criteria. 

 

      VII.     PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Figueroa introduced Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Teri VonHandorf and Vice President of Operations Christi Godman to give an enrollment and budget update.

Teri reported that fall enrollment continues to experience record-setting enrollment growth, reaching its sixth consecutive fall high. Current headcount is approximately 7,100 students, with projections indicating that the fall goal will be met once the second eight-week and late-start courses are added. Credit hour targets have already been achieved, with students enrolling in more hours on average, around nine for credential-seeking students and six for dual credit students. Importantly, the most significant enrollment growth is occurring among credential-seeking students, up 8% from last year, alongside a 3% increase in dual credit enrollment. This shift strengthens both the college’s revenue outlook and its alignment with long-term student success.

Christi reported that enrollment performance continues to exceed expectations, particularly in credit hours, which drive revenue. One of the most significant successes is an 8% increase in credential-seeking students, complemented by a 3% increase in dual credit enrollment. While dual credit remains complex due to tuition structures, the overall trend is highly positive. Revenue and expenses are tracking well, with the primary watch point being the growth in tuition waivers associated with dual credit students.

Dr. Figueroa presented the first installment of the "Get to Know Gateway" series: What is KCTCS to Gateway?

 

He highlighted the connection between Gateway and KCTCS, outlining the system’s history, current structure, and evolving strategy. KCTCS was created in 1999 through HB1, championed by Governor Paul Patton, to unify the state’s junior colleges and technical schools under one system. This “shotgun marriage” blended local connections with statewide coordination and led to the current model of a statewide Board of Regents, complemented by local Boards of Directors to ensure community input.

 

The system’s strategy has evolved through several phases. The first focused on expanding access to postsecondary education, ensuring most Kentuckians lived within 30 minutes of a campus or center. The second emphasized completion, shifting attention from access alone to successful credential attainment. The third prioritized workforce alignment, integrating education more directly with Kentucky’s economic and industry needs. The system is now entering a fourth phase, focused on coalition-building and creating unified strategies that link local institutions with statewide goals.

A key challenge has been visibility. While community colleges are well known at the local level, the system as a whole has lacked recognition in Frankfort. Under Dr. Quarles’ leadership, efforts are underway to strengthen KCTCS’s statewide presence, unify its voice, and demonstrate value to the General Assembly, business partners, and national stakeholders.

Gateway’s role is to serve as a regional champion for Northern Kentucky, aligning local goals with statewide strategies. The system office provides advocacy, economies of scale, and coordination for statewide partnerships, while Gateway focuses on local relationships, donor engagement, and community intelligence. The balance between system-level leadership and local responsiveness remains essential to ensuring Kentucky’s workforce and educational needs are met.

Dr. Figueroa concluded his discussion by affirming Gateway’s role within KCTCS: focusing on advancing the aspirations of Northern Kentucky while also contributing to a cohesive statewide strategy that enhances education and workforce development across the Commonwealth.

     VIII.     ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Hughes called the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.                         

Important Dates to Remember

  • Board Meeting – December 11, 2025